New Hampshire was one of the first states to create its own seal. The current seal was adopted on April 29, 1931, after a group was formed to make improvements on the seal of 1784. At that time the unauthorized date of 1784 on the seal was amended to 1776. Its most prominent feature is one of the first ships ordered by the American Navy, the frigate Raleigh, which was built in Portsmouth, N.H. On its staff is the United States flag authorized in 1777.